Putnam County Educational Service Center

- 124 Putnam Pkwy, Ottawa, OH 45875

The Putnam County Educational Service Center (ESC) serves as a cornerstone of educational support and resource coordination for the residents of Putnam County, Ohio. Situated in the heart of Ottawa, the ESC is committed to meeting the diverse needs of all county residents, from early childhood through adult education, by providing, coordinating, and supporting a wide range of best practices and quality programs. This institution is a critical partner to the nine local school districts, working diligently to strengthen student success and empower families with essential resources.

The core philosophy of the Putnam County ESC is to deliver high-quality learning experiences for every child, while simultaneously building a strong foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. This is achieved through dedicated departments focused on Special Education, Curriculum Development, and School Psychology. The ESC’s role extends far beyond traditional school-day support; they are deeply involved in family programs, early development initiatives like 'Help Me Grow' and the Family and Children First Council, and also offer training that benefits the wider community, such as American Red Cross certifications.

For educators in the Ohio region, the ESC is a key source of professional development and support, facilitating programs like the Resident Educator Program to mentor and support new teachers. For parents, it's a hub for specialized services, from individualized instruction for students with special needs to engaging STEM and summer camps for enrichment. The Putnam County ESC ensures that local school districts are equipped with the expertise, resources, and staffing necessary to ensure high-quality, individualized instruction focused on the 'whole child.'

Location and Accessibility

The Putnam County Educational Service Center is conveniently located in the village of Ottawa, Ohio, making it a central and accessible hub for the nine school districts and families it serves across Putnam County.

The center's address is:

124 Putnam Pkwy, Ottawa, OH 45875, USA

For local Ohio residents, the facility is designed to be accessible to all community members who need to utilize its resources, attend programs, or access administrative services. The commitment to accessibility is evident in the inclusion of essential features, which is vital for an organization supporting special education and community programming:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot

These features ensure that the ESC can welcome and serve students with mobility needs, families, and partner educators without barriers, reinforcing its mission as an inclusive, community-focused educational support center.

Services Offered

The Putnam County Educational Service Center offers an extensive portfolio of programs and services, designed to address the needs of students, families, and educators within the county. These services are often delivered in partnership with local schools and state agencies:

• Special Education and Support Services:
  • Special Education oversight and individualized programs (IEP) for students with special needs.
  • Preschool Programs (e.g., Early Discovery Preschools).
  • School Psychology services, including student evaluations and mental health support.
  • Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and vision/hearing specialists (contractual).
• Student and Family Programs:
  • After School Programs and Summer Camps (including STEM Camps).
  • Tutoring services, such as Project M.O.R.E. (Mentoring in Ohio for Reading Excellence), a proven one-on-one reading intervention program.
  • Migrant Education programs.
  • Families Programs, including 'Help Me Grow' and the Family and Children First Council.
• Professional and Adult Education:
  • Resident Educator Program, offering mentoring and support for new teachers in the region.
  • Professional Development for teachers and administrators (e.g., workshops, curriculum resources).
  • American Red Cross Classes and Training for community members and professionals.
  • Adult education resources, often connecting residents to programs like the 22+ Adult High School Diploma Program.
• Administrative and Testing Services:
  • Individualized Educational Program (IEP) coordination and support.
  • Testing Services for students and assessment support for districts.
  • Curriculum development and resource sharing for all grade levels.

Features / Highlights

For the Ohio communities served by the ESC, several key features and highlights demonstrate the center’s value and impact:

• Holistic Educational Partnership: The ESC serves as a crucial partner to all nine local school districts, providing essential expertise and resources that individual districts might not be able to offer alone, ensuring high-quality education across the county.
• Commitment to Special Needs: The Special Education Department is highly dedicated, using a team approach and innovative strategies to educate students on an individualized basis, focusing on the 'whole-child' concept.
• Reading Intervention Success: Programs like Project M.O.R.E. provide dedicated, consistent, one-on-one reading mentorship, a powerful tool for strengthening literacy skills and boosting student confidence.
• Educator Support: The ESC supports the professional pipeline by coordinating the Resident Educator Program and offering continuous professional learning opportunities and Educator Boot Camps to connect teachers with local industry.
• Community Safety Training: Offering American Red Cross Classes makes the ESC a community resource for essential safety and preparedness training, benefiting both schools and the public.
• Family-Centric Approach: Beyond school hours, the ESC supports families from birth through graduation via programs like Help Me Grow, demonstrating a commitment to the entire life cycle of learning and development.
• Accessibility: Located centrally in Ottawa, the facility is equipped with wheelchair accessible entrances and parking, ensuring it is a welcoming and easily navigable resource for the entire community.

Contact Information

Local educators, parents, and community members in Ohio seeking to utilize the comprehensive services and programs offered by the Putnam County Educational Service Center can use the following contact details:

• Address: 124 Putnam Pkwy, Ottawa, OH 45875, USA
• Phone: (419) 523-5951

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing to engage with the Putnam County Educational Service Center is choosing to invest in the collective strength of education across the county. For families, the ESC is an essential, multi-faceted resource that provides specialized support that goes above and beyond what a single school district can offer—from dedicated special education teams and school psychologists to targeted tutoring programs like Project M.O.R.E. For educators, it is the home of vital professional growth, training, and networking opportunities that are necessary to maintain Ohio’s high standards of teaching. The ESC is worth choosing because its mission is explicitly focused on the entire Putnam County community, providing a coordinated, comprehensive network of ‘best practices and quality programs’ designed to help every resident thrive now and in the future. The fact that they are accessible, centrally located, and cover everything from Preschool to Adult Education and professional training confirms its role as the backbone of educational excellence in the region.

Putnam County Educational Service Center

124 Putnam Pkwy, Ottawa, OH 45875, USA